Italy Faces the Risk of Relegation to Serie B: Mancini Has His Back Against the Wall, at Least 7 Lineup Changes in Turkey

Tonight at 8:45 p.m. in Bursa, Roberto Mancini’s Italy faces a crucial match: after their home loss to Belgium in their opening game, the Azzurri cannot afford to lose to Vincenzo Montella’s Turkey, lest they jeopardize their Nations League group stage campaign.

If they lose to Turkey, the national team faces the risk of relegation to League B, as they still have to face the group’s strongest team, France, twice more. Head coach Roberto Mancini has taken corrective action following the difficult opener and decided to make significant lineup changes. Ahanor, Barella, Coppola, Inacio, Kouadio, Maldini, Mancini, Pessina, Ricci, and Zoma will not be traveling to Turkey—they have remained at Coverciano to train—and the Jesi-born coach is considering radical changes to the lineup, particularly in defense and midfield.

The back line will be completely overhauled: in front of Donnarumma, Bastoni and Scalvini could start in place of Mancini and Coppola. Calafiori could also be replaced by Ruggeri on the left, while on the right, Kayode might get a chance in place of Di Lorenzo, who was among the most criticized players after the match against Belgium.

Significant changes are also expected in midfield: Sandro Tonali is expected to be the only player to retain his starting spot, with Frattesi and either Mandragora or Fagioli joining him from the start. Barella has remained in Italy, while Romano will take a seat on the bench. There are more uncertainties up front: Cambiaghi is likely to start in the front three, while on the other side, Raspadori and Vergara are vying for the spot. For the center-forward position, it’s a three-way race between Pio Esposito, Gianluca Scamacca, and Moise Kean.

Mancini urges calm on the eve of the match: “We need to stay calm and not get worked up, as is happening now. We played against a strong national team like Belgium, which did indeed put us in a tough spot, but then the team reacted well. Then again, games are shaped by key moments: the match could have gone either way, even though Belgium ultimately deserved to win. Now we have our second game; we have the chance to do better, we can make some changes, and evaluate other players.”